19Jul 2019 by The Mahojos No Comments
Le Tour de France – five reasons to go and watch it

Le Tour de France – five reasons to go and watch it

Campervan, Cycling, Latest posts
Ugh, we've been back from France for 5 days and it feels like a lifetime! One thing we're missing is following Le Tour de France. If you've been thinking about going over to France to catch some stages, here are our 5 top reasons to go... Seeing different parts of France The route for Le Tour is different every year. In the two times we've followed Le Tour, we've seen two stages in the French Alps and two in north Eastern France. We've wild camped at the side of the road near beautiful little towns and villages, meaning that we're exploring parts of France that we'd never normally see. Experiencing 'The Caravan' About two hours before all the riders sweep past, the sponsors 'caravan' speeds by which is a sight…
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10May 2019 by The Mahojos No Comments
New book out now!

New book out now!

Latest posts
So as you might already know, we've been busy getting a book together! For the past year (maybe even longer) Ali has been writing the story of her mammoth bike ride from Pontypridd to Chamonix. Now it's officially live and ready to purchase! There are two versions that you can get your hands on. The paperback is available via our online shop. Or if you prefer an ebook you can purchase through Amazon via this link. Happy reading!
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10Feb 2019 by The Mahojos No Comments
5 things NOT to do on a long distance bike ride

5 things NOT to do on a long distance bike ride

Cycling
Over two years (nearly three) have passed since finishing my long distance bike ride from Pontypridd (South Wales) to Chamonix (French Alps) and it already feels like a lifetime ago. Back in the hum drum of everyday life I'm wishing I was back on my bike but I've had a lot of time to reflect on what I would do differently if I were to do it again (yes, there will be a next time!). So, here are my top 5 things NOT to do if you're going on a long distance bike ride (not in any particular order). 1.Travel without a map In my wisdom, I thought I'd be able to ride from Pontypridd to Newhaven via Bristol, Bath, Salisbury, Southampton and Brighton without a map, and by relying on the…
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16May 2018 by The Mahojos No Comments
Two Wheels to Chamonix

Two Wheels to Chamonix

Latest posts
Hey! It's Ali here with some news...Two Wheels to Chamonix is a book that I've started which catalogues my journey from our home in South Wales to my sister's home in the French Alps by bike. Inspired by speakers at the first ever Women's Adventure Expo, I had the seed of an idea for a long distance bike ride. Within 7 months, I was doing it. Some might call it a midlife crisis, but for me, cycling over 700 miles to Chamonix was a way for me to deal with my impending retirement from competitive sport... “Think you can, think you can't? You're probably right. It's amazing what you can achieve if you approach a big scary goal with a positive mindset” - The MahoJos Writing a book about it…
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10May 2017 by The Mahojos No Comments
#JFDI – Just flipping do it!

#JFDI – Just flipping do it!

Latest posts
In March 2017 Amy and I completed a relay-bike-ride through all 22 Local Authorities of Wales. The year before that (May 2016) I cycled from our home in South Wales to Chamonix. Past adventures We've had lots of overland and water based mini adventures in the past. But for every single one, I can honestly say that we weren't completely ready. I definitely wasn’t physically fit to cycle to Chamonix! I struggled to stick to a training plan, so I did as much as I could which definitely wasn’t enough. I also didn’t have any of the ‘best’ equipment and kit. I made do with what I had (a 24-year-old mountain bike) and what I could borrow. Mental preparation was good and the logistics were planned well in advance. So these…
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10May 2017 by The Mahojos No Comments
The Beast – up the valleys

The Beast – up the valleys

Cycling
In an effort to re-motivate ourselves after the recent round-Wales adventure, I (stupidly) suggested that riding 100 miles a week would be a good way to get going again. New Challenge It might sound like a lot but some cyclists (err not us) do that in a day. Doing it over 7 days means that cycling becomes a regular part of our lives again, and is a decent enough mileage to have fitness benefits. Route Planning We thought about starting this new challenge on Tuesday once the bank holiday was over. But Amy was keen to start right away so we looked at a local route. We pored over Google maps and a South East Wales Sustrans map to get some inspiration. We settled on doing a north west loop…
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28Jan 2016 by The Mahojos No Comments
Fat Biking in Chamonix

Fat Biking in Chamonix

Cycling
This trip to the Chamonix in the French Alps was the third of three cursed attempts to get out there and do some Snowboarding. Attempt number one: other half had a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament. We went out there anyway and holiday ‘highlights’ were drinking, eating pizza and playing crazy golf in Evian (the town, not the drink). Attempt number two: Christmas and New Year holiday completely cancelled due to other half having an appendectomy. Attempt number three, other half still recovering from a broken ankle which hasn’t healed properly. They say things happens in threes but this is really taking the piss now, so laughing hard in the face of yet more adversity, we decide to get out to Chamonix anyway and find alternative activities to do which are leg-fracture-friendly. Plus…
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